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DALLAS – On April 23, 2025, Dallas City Council approved amending the existing “Dallas Residential Ordinance”, currently known as the Dallas One-and Two-Family Dwelling Code, to the One- to Eight-Family Dwelling Code.
Currently, any structure with more than two dwelling units must comply with the International Building Code (IBC), which can add complexity and costs to smaller-scale residential development. The Revision of the Dallas residential building code will allow up to eight dwelling units to be constructed using residential-based codes. Revising the Dallas residential ordinance to permit one to eight dwelling units will help address the housing gap in Dallas by reducing barriers for development and introducing the “Consolidated Dwelling”.
"Dallas is facing a housing gap. The amendment of this code will be a tool in the toolbox for Dallas to address this pressing issue, said Willie Franklin, Planning & Development Assistant Director. "We are excited about the support this has received from local organizations and professionals and how it can help address the growth anticipated in Dallas."
Since, December 2024, City of Dallas Planning & Development has researched best practices, conducted workgroups with architects, developers, contractors, and other stakeholders, and engaged local professional organizations such as American Institute of Architects of Dallas (AIA), the Dallas Builders Association (DBA), and the Building Inspection Advisory, Examining & Appeals Board (BIAEA). Additionally, areas such as El Paso, Memphis and North Carolina have seen great success in their amended residential codes.
“Our code today treats a four-plex the same as a 200-unit apartment building," said Councilmember Paul Ridley, "That doesn't make sense. It drives up construction costs and discourages the housing we want in Dallas; small, neighborhood-scale homes that fit naturally into our community. This is a common-sense change that marks a transformative step in how we approach small-scale housing development in Dallas, all without changing zoning."
The City of Dallas Planning & Development extends our sincere gratitude to the following individuals and organizations:
· The City of Dallas Fire-Rescue Department
· Councilmember Paul Ridley
· Councilmember Chad West
· Building Inspection Advisory, Examining and Appeals Board (BIAEA)
· American Institute of Architects (AIA) Dallas
· Dallas Builders Association (DBA)
· Dallas Housing Coalition
· Our Dallas Planning & Development team
· Planning & Development teams in El Paso, Texas and Memphis, Tennessee
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